Federal Magistrates Court of Australia|2008-08-29

The Applicant says that it is required to do no more than it has done in the Amended Statement of Claim and Buckingham's Affidavit by reason of s.809(1) of the WR Act.
Section 809 (1) of the WR Act provides:
- "If:
- (a) in an application under section 807 relating to a person's conduct, it is alleged that the conduct was, or is being, carried out for a particular reason or with a particular intent; and
- (b) for the person to carry out the conduct for that reason or with that intent would constitute a contravention of this Part;
- it is presumed, in proceedings under this Division arising from the application, that the conduct was, or is being, carried out for that reason or with that intent, unless the person proves otherwise."
A consideration of s.809(1) makes it immediately apparent that any application (here the Amended Statement of Claim) must allege conduct (and more than merely a breach reciting the relevant provisions of the WR Act). The onus of proof in relation to the conduct alleged is what is reversed, as was explained in Geraldton Port Authority as follows:
- "If the applicant proves the conduct and alleges that the conduct was carried out for a prohibited reason, it is for the respondent to prove, on the balance of probabilities, that it was not motivated by an impermissible reason: s 298V; Heidt v Chrysler Australia Ltd (1976) 26 FLR 257 at 266-271 per Northrop J. The reversal of the onus in respect of proof of the reasons for the conduct is a recognition that "the circumstances by reason of which an employer may take action against an employee are, of necessity, peculiarly with the knowledge of the employer": Heidt v Chrysler Australia Ltd at 267."

This is the first occasion on which these pleadings have been subject to scrutiny by the Court. The findings made by the Court require that much of the Amended Statement of Claim be struck out. However, rather than make orders to that effect at this stage, it is appropriate in the Court's view (and the Respondents do not demur from this) that the Applicants be granted leave to further amend the Amended Statement of Claim by filing a Further Amended Statement of Claim. The Court will require that that be done by 4.00pm on 19 September 2008, and otherwise adjourn the proceedings to a further directions hearing at 9.30am on 6 October 2008.
The Court will hear the parties as to costs, if any.

I certify that the preceding ninety-six (96) paragraphs are a true copy of the reasons for judgment of Lucev FM

[2] Affidavit of Terry Albert Buckingham, sworn 16 July 2007 ("Buckingham's Affidavit").

[5] Rana FCR at 355 per Lander J; FCA at para. 75 per Lander J.

[11] Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth), s.3; FMC Rules, r.1.03; Favell v Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd [2005] HCA 52; [2005] 79 ALJR 1716 at 1719 per Gleeson CJ, McHugh, Gummow and Haydon JJ; [2005] HCA 52 at para. 6 per Gleeson CJ, McHugh, Gummow and Haydon JJ; Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd v Dampier Port Authority [2006] WASC 281 at paras. 6-9 per Martin CJ ("Barclay Mowlem").

[12] Barclay Mowlen at para. 7 per Martin CJ.

[13] Barclay Mowlen at paras. 8-9 per Martin CJ; and see the comments on Buckingham's Affidavit at paras. 58-59 below.

[14] Respondents' Outline of Argument, para. 3.2 ("Respondents' Argument").

[15] (2000) 102 FCR 97; [2000] FCA 430 ("BHPIO - Full Court").

[16] BHPIO - Full Court, FCR at 108 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ; FCA at para. 35 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ.

[17] BHPIO - Full Court, FCR at 112 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ; FCA at para. 48 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ.

[19] CPSU IR at 245 per Finkelstein J; FCA at para. 24 per Finkelstein J.

[21] BHPIO FCR at 499 per Kenny J; FCA at paras. 53-54 per Kenny J.

[22] (1998) 195 CLR 1; [1998] HCA 30 ("Patrick Stevedores").

[23] BHPIO FCR at 500-501 per Kenny J; FCA at para.59 per Kenny J.

[25] Qenos FCR at 117 per Weinberg J; FCA at para. 118.

[26] Qenos FCR at 117-118 per Weinberg J; FCA at paras. 118-119 per Weinberg J.

[27] Qenos FCR at 118 per Weinberg J; FCA at para. 122 per Weinberg J.

[28] Warramunda Village Inc v Pryde [2001] FCA 61; (2001) 105 FCR 437 at 441 per Gray, Branson and North JJ; [2001] FCA 61 at para. 11 per Gray, Branson and North JJ; Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Able Demolitions and Excavations Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1748 at paras. 13 and 26 per Marshall J ("Able Demolitions").

[29] Respondent's Argument, paras. 3.4-3.5.

[31] See Respondents' Argument, para. 3.5.

[32] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 18.

[33] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 19.

[34] See paras. 29C, 29D, 33C, 33D, 36, 37, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 49, 52 and 53.

[36] [2007] FMCA 2106 ("Dowling").

[37] Dowling at para. 33 per Cameron FM. The authorities referred to in paragraph 33 are Yorke v Lucas [1985] HCA 65; (1985) 158 CLR 661; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Giraffe World Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1161; (1999) 95 FCR 302; Rural Press Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2002] FCAFC 213; (2002) 118 FCR 236; Heydon v NRMA Limited [2000] NSWCA 374; (2000) 51 NSWLR 1; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v IMB Group Pty Ltd [2003] FCAFC 17. See also Armstrong v Bigeni Contracting Pty Ltd & Anor [2008] FMCA 485 at para. 23 per Cameron FM

[39] Giorgianni at 505 per Wilson, Deane and Dawson JJ.

[40] Giorgianni at 506-507 per Wilson, Deane and Dawson JJ.

[41] Giorgianni at 508 per Wilson, Deane and Dawson JJ.

[42] J D Heydon, Trade Practices Law (Vol 2) (Sydney: Law Book Company) para. 18.280. See also M Pearce, "Accessorial Liability for Misleading or Deceptive Conduct" (2006) 80 ALJ 104.

[43] BHPIO-Full Court FCR at 108 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ; FCA at para. 35 per Black CJ, Beaumont and Ryan JJ.

[44] Able Demolitions at para. 9-11 per Marshall J, and in particular the passages cited from Multi Group Distribution Services Pty Ltd v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1996) 18 ATPR 41-522 at 42, 679 per Burchett J and McKellar v Container Terminal Management Services [1999] FCA 1101; (1999) 165 ALR 409 at 418 per Weinberg J; [1999] FCA 1101 at para. 23 per Weinberg J.

[45] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 24.

[46] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 24, particular (b).

[47] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 24, particular (c).

[48] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 24, particular (e).

[49] Amended Statement of Claim, para. 24, particular (f).

[50] Buckingham Affidavit, paras. 34 and 38.

[52] Patrick Stevedores CLR at 18 per Brennan CJ, McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ; HCA at para. 4 per Brennan CJ, McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ.

[53] Blair v Australian Motor Industries Ltd (1982) 3 IR 176 at 180 per Evatt J; subsequently noted without disapproval in MUA v Geraldton Port Authority [1999] FCA 899; (1999) 93 FCR 34 at 70 per R D Nicholson J; [1999] FCA 899 at para. 230 per R D Nicholson J ("Geraldton Port Authority"); The Employment Advocate v National Union Workers & Anor [2000] FCA 710; (2000) 100 FCR 454 at 469 per Einfeld J; [2000] FCA 710 at para. 48 per Einfeld J and Commonwealth Bank of Australia & Anor v Finance Sector Union of Australia [2007] FCAFC 18; (2007) 157 FCR 329 at 341 per Spender J; [2007] FCAFC 18 at para. 73 per Spender J.

[54] (2006) 160 IR 1; [2006] FCA 1441 ("Australian and International Pilots").

[55] Australian and International Pilots IR at 8 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 15 per Tracey J; citing Childs v Metropolitan Transport Trust (1981) 29 AILR 24 and Kimpton v Minister for Education (Vic) (1996) 65 IR 317.

[56] Australian and International Pilots IR at 8 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 15 per Tracey J; citing Patrick Stevedores.

[57] Australian and International Pilots IR at 8 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 15 per Tracey J; citing Independent Education Union of Australia v Canonical Administrators [1998] FCA 1127; (1998) 87 FCR 49 at 68; 84 IR 123 at 141_._

[58] Australian and International Pilots IR at 9 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 16 per Tracey J.

[59] Australian and International Pilots IR at 15 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 27 per Tracey J; citing Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1531; (1999) 140 IR 131.

[60] Australian and International Pilots IR at 15 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 26 per Tracey J; citing Geraldton Port Authority.

[61] Australian and International Pilots IR at 15 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 26 per Tracey J; citing Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corporation Ltd [2001] FCA 267; (2001) 107 FCR 93; 104 IR 195.

[62] Australian and International Pilots IR at 15 per Tracey J; FCA at para. 26 per Tracey J; citing Finance Sector Union of Australia v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2005] FCA 796; (2005) 147 FCR 158; 146 IR 37.

[63] Paragraphs 27 and 29 of the Amended Statement of Claim.

[64] Australian and International Pilots IR at 11 per Tracey J; FCA at 20 per Tracey J.

[65] Trade Practices Commission v George Weston Foods Pty Ltd [1979] FCA 26; (1979) 39 FLR 182 at 186 per Davies J; B C Cairns, Australian Civil Procedure (7th Ed) (Sydney: Law Book Company, 2007) at page 178.

[66] Collex Waste Management Pty Ltd v Waste Recycling and Processing Service of New South Wales [1999] FCA 213 at para. 43 per Lindgren J; Charlie Carter Pty Ltd v Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association of Western Australia & Ors (1987) 13 FCR 413 at 419 per French J.

[68] Geraldton Port Authority FCR at 68 per RD Nicholson J; FCA at para. 221 per RD Nicholson J. See also Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v CE Marshall & Sons Pty Ltd (2007) 160 IR 223 at 229 per Collier J; [2007] FCA 169 at paras. 31-33 per Collier J.

Magistrates Act 1999

Magistrates Court Rules 2001

Buckingham v KSN Engineering Pty Ltd & Anor [2008] FMCA 546 (29 August 2008)

Armstrong v Bigeni Contracting Pty Ltd & Anor [2008] FMCA 485

Australian and International Pilots Association v Qantas Airways Limited (2006) 160 IR 1; [2006] FCA 1441

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Giraffe World Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1161; (1999) 95 FCR 302

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v IMB Group Pty Ltd [2003] FCAFC 17

Australian Workers Union & Ors v BHP Iron Ore Pty Ltd (2001) 106 FCR 482; [2001] FCA 3

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd v Dampier Port Authority [2006] WASC 281

BHP Iron Ore Pty Ltd v Australian Workers Union & Ors (2000) 102 FCR 97; [2000] FCA 430

Collex Waste Management Pty Ltd v Waste Recycling and Processing Service of New South Wales [1999] FCA 213

Commonwealth Bank of Australia & Anor v Finance Sector Union of Australia (2007) 157 FCR 329; [2007] FCAFC 18

Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corporation Ltd [2001] FCA 267; (2001) 107 FCR 93; 104 IR 195

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1531; (1999) 140 IR 131

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Able Demolitions and Excavations Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1748

CPSU, The Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corporation Limited (2000) 99 IR 238; [2000] FCA 844

Dowling v Kirk and 16 Ors [2007] FMCA 2106

Favell v Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd [2005] 79 ALJR 1716; [2005] HCA 52

Finance Sector Union of Australia v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2005] FCA 796; (2005) 147 FCR 158; 146 IR 37

Giorgianni v The Queen [1985] HCA 29; (1985) 156 CLR 473

Heydon v NRMA Limited [2000] NSWCA 374; (2000) 51 NSWLR 1

Independent Education Union of Australia v Canonical Administrators [1998] FCA 1127; (1998) 87 FCR 49

McKellar v Container Terminal Management Services (1999) 165 ALR 409; [1999] FCA 1101

MUA v Geraldton Port Authority (1999) 93 FCR 34; [1999] FCA 899

National Union of Workers v Qenos Pty Ltd (2001) 108 FCR 90; [2001] FCA 178

Patrick Stevedores Operations No. 2 Pty Ltd & Ors v Maritime Union of Australia & Ors (1998) 195 CLR; [1998] HCA 30

Rana v University of South Australia (2004) 136 FCR 344; [2004] FCA 559

Rural Press Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2002] FCAFC 213; (2002) 118 FCR 236

The Employment Advocate v National Union Workers & Anor (2000) 100 FCR 454; [2000] FCA 710

Trade Practices Commission v George Weston Foods Pty Ltd [1979] FCA 26; (1979) 39 FLR 182

Warramunda Village Inc v Pryde (2001) 105 FCR 437; [2001] FCA 61

Buckingham v KSN Engineering Pty Ltd & Anor [2008] FMCA 546

At a glance

Court

Decision date

Source

Judgment (60 paragraphs)

Parties

Legislation Cited (4)

Cases Cited (56)

Buckingham v KSN Engineering Pty Ltd & Anor [2008] FMCA 546 (29 August 2008)